The countdown to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction has officially begun, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) setting February 18 as the date for the event. The auction for the 14th edition of the T20 league also brings about some new rules with it in order to comply with the ‘new normal’ in Covid-19 times.
The BCCI has defined the Covid-criteria for franchise owners and officials attending the IPL auction in Chennai. Unlike the process that players are taken through these days before the start of a cricketing tournament, the owners and officials of an IPL franchise wouldn’t have to quarantine themselves before the auction. But, they will be required to submit two negative reports of RT-PCR tests 72 hours before the auction. Another test will be done at the venue.
“Please note that the team members attending the player auction in Chennai will need to do an RT-PCR test 72 hours before the auction date and submit the negative report. Further, there will a test done in Chennai at the venue for the members attending the auction, details of which will be shared in due course,” BCCI CEO Hemang Amin, who is presently also functioning as the COO of IPL, wrote to the franchises in a mail which Cricbuzz has the access to.
The mail further stated that the trading window for the IPL would open on February 18 once again after being closed on February 11. The second trade window would then close a month before the 14th season of the league officially begins.
“The Player registration for IPL 2021 Auction is in process and the Auction Register will be circulated… The trading window will remain open till seven days prior to the auction date and will close on 11th February 2021 at 5:00 PM (IST),” the mail further read.
With the pandemic still existing, the BCCI has informed the franchises that only 13 members per team will be allowed at the venue during the bidding war.
“Kindly confirm the names of your team members who will be present at the auction – a maximum of 13 members of which 8 will be at the auction table and 5 will be seated in the gallery, to Anaisha (IPL official) by 5th February 2021.”
The player registration process for the league is still underway. The BCCI will have the full list of players in the pool by February 04, 14 days before the auction commences.
